By Martin Graham | 13th May 2024
In Bayern Munich’s final Bundesliga home game of the season, Harry Kane was notably absent due to injury as the team secured a comfortable 2-0 victory over mid-table Wolfsburg at the Allianz Arena.
Manager Thomas Tuchel revealed that the England captain, aged 30, was sidelined due to “back problems,” leaving a void in the squad for the crucial fixture.
Lovro Zvonarek seized the opportunity to make an impact in his debut start for Bayern Munich, breaking the deadlock just four minutes into the game with a precise low angled shot into the corner of the net.
The home side extended their lead shortly after, with Leon Goretzka showcasing his prowess by curling the ball home from close range after a well-executed setup by Thomas Muller near the penalty spot.
Neuer celebrates milestone in Bayern’s triumph
In a momentous occasion, Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer received a standing ovation as he marked his 500th Bundesliga appearance before being substituted in the 74th minute of the match against Wolfsburg.
Neuer’s remarkable achievement was celebrated by fans and teammates alike, highlighting his enduring contribution to the club’s success over the years.
As Bayern Munich solidified their position in second place, sitting two points clear of Stuttgart in third, the victory paved the way for a potential runner-up finish in the league standings, trailing behind champions Bayer Leverkusen.
Kane’s record bid dashed
Despite his impressive goal-scoring record this season, Harry Kane’s absence from Bayern Munich’s crucial fixture effectively dashed his hopes of surpassing former Bayern striker Robert Lewandowski’s single-season Bundesliga goals record.
Having netted 36 goals in 32 games, Kane would have needed to score six goals in Bayern’s final match against Hoffenheim to eclipse Lewandowski’s record of 41 goals during the 2020–21 season. However, with his injury sidelining him for the last game, Kane’s pursuit of the record came to an abrupt end, leaving Lewandowski’s milestone intact for another season.
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